Bridging the educational gap: a comprehensive approach to combating the surge in sexually transmitted infections / Preenchendo a lacuna educacional: uma abordagem abrangente para combater o aumento de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose a significant public health challenge in contemporary society, exacerbated by evolving sexual behaviors and societal shifts. Despite advancements in medical science, the prevalence of STIs continues to rise, necessitating a multifaceted approach to combat this epidemic. This opinion article examines the prospect of addressing the surge in STIs through a comprehensive strategy that encompasses educational reforms, destigmatization efforts, enhanced resource accessibility, and technological innovations. Objective: The primary objective of this article is to underscore the urgency of implementing a comprehensive approach to combat the escalating rates of STIs. By elucidating the limitations of existing educational frameworks and societal attitudes towards STIs, this article seeks to advocate for transformative measures that bridge the educational gap and foster a more informed and empowered populace capable of preventing and managing STIs effectively. Methods: This opinion piece is based on existing literature on STIs, educational strategies, and public health interventions to formulate a comprehensive approach to addressing the STI epidemic. Drawing upon empirical evidence and expert opinions, the article identifies key areas for intervention and proposes actionable recommendations for stakeholders, including policymakers, educators, healthcare providers, and community leaders. Results: The analysis underscores the pressing need for a paradigm shift in STI education and prevention efforts. Current educational modalities often fail to resonate with modern sexual behaviors and perpetuate the stigma surrounding STIs, impeding effective prevention and treatment initiatives. By adopting a comprehensive approach that integrates accurate information, destigmatization campaigns, enhanced access to resources, and innovative technologies, significant strides can be made in curbing the spread of STIs and promoting sexual health and well-being. Conclusion: In conclusion, combating the surge in STIs demands a concerted effort to bridge the educational gap and address the root causes of the epidemic. By embracing a comprehensive approach that acknowledges the complexities of modern sexuality, destigmatizes STIs, and empowers individuals with knowledge and resources, we can pave the way toward a healthier and more sexually literate society. Policymakers, healthcare professionals, educators, and community stakeholders must collaborate to enact meaningful change and mitigate the profound impact of STIs on public health and well-being. (AU)

Introdução: As infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) representam um desafio significativo de saúde pública na sociedade contemporânea, exacerbado pela evolução dos comportamentos sexuais e pelas mudanças sociais. Apesar dos avanços na ciência médica, a prevalência de IST continua a aumentar, havendo necessidade de uma abordagem multifacetada para combater esta epidemia. Este artigo de opinião examina a perspectiva de abordar o aumento das IST por meio de uma estratégia abrangente, que engloba reformas educativas, esforços de desestigmatização, maior acessibilidade aos recursos e inovações tecnológicas. Objetivo: O objetivo principal deste artigo é sublinhar a urgência de implementar uma abordagem abrangente para combater as taxas crescentes de IST. Ao elucidar as limitações dos quadros educativos existentes e das atitudes da sociedade em relação às IST, este artigo procura defender medidas transformadoras que colmatem a lacuna educacional e promovam uma população mais informada e capacitada, capaz de prevenir e gerir eficazmente as IST. Métodos: Este artigo de opinião baseia-se na literatura existente sobre IST, estratégias educativas e intervenções de saúde pública para formular uma abordagem abrangente para enfrentar a epidemia de IST. Com base em evidências empíricas e opiniões de especialistas, o artigo identifica áreas-chave de intervenção e propõe recomendações práticas para as partes interessadas, incluindo decisores políticos, educadores, prestadores de cuidados de saúde e líderes comunitários. Resultados: A análise sublinha a necessidade premente de uma mudança de paradigma na educação e nos esforços de prevenção das IST. As atuais modalidades educativas, muitas vezes, não conseguem repercutir nos comportamentos sexuais modernos e perpetuam o estigma em torno das IST, impedindo iniciativas eficazes de prevenção e tratamento. Ao adotar uma abordagem abrangente que integre informações precisas, campanhas de desestigmatização, maior acesso aos recursos e tecnologias inovadoras, podem ser feitos avanços significativos na contenção da propagação das IST e na promoção da saúde sexual e do bem-estar. Conclusão:Em conclusão, o combate ao aumento das IST exige um esforço concertado para colmatar o fosso educativo e abordar as causas profundas da epidemia. Ao adotarmos uma abordagem abrangente que reconheça as complexidades da sexualidade moderna, desestigmatize as IST e capacite os indivíduos com conhecimentos e recursos, podemos preparar o caminho para uma sociedade mais saudável e com maior literacia sexual. Os decisores políticos, os profissionais de saúde, os educadores e as partes interessadas da comunidade devem colaborar para implementar mudanças significativas e mitigar o impacto profundo das IST na saúde pública e no bem-estar. (AU)

Childhood health and educational disadvantage are associated with adult multimorbidity in the global south: findings from a cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative surveys in India and Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Multimorbidity has emerged as a major healthcare challenge in low/middle-income countries (LMICs) such as India and Brazil. Life course epidemiology suggests that adverse events in early life contribute to an individual's later health in adulthood. However, little is known about the influence of early life health and social factors on the development of multimorbidity in adulthood in LMICs. We aimed to explore the association of adult multimorbidity with childhood health and social disadvantages among two LMICs, India and Brazil. METHODS: We conducted a secondary data analysis of older adults aged ≥50 years using nationally representative surveys from Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, 2017-2018 (n=51 481) and 'Estudo Longitudinal da Saude e Bem-Estar dos Idosos Brasileirous', 2015-2016 (n=8730). We estimated the prevalence of multimorbidity along with 95% CI as a measure of uncertainty for all weighted proportions. Log link in generalised linear model was used to assess the association between childhood health and disadvantages with multimorbidity, reported as adjusted prevalence ratio (APR). RESULTS: The prevalence of multimorbidity was 25.53% and 55.24% in India and Brazil, respectively. Participants who perceived their childhood health as poor and missed school for a month or more due to illness had the highest level of multimorbidity across both countries. After adjusting for age and gender, a significant association between adult multimorbidity and poor self-rated childhood health (APR: (India: 1.38, 1.16 to 1.65) and (Brazil: 1.19, 1.09 to 1.30)); and missed school for a month due to illness (AOR: (India: 1.73, 1.49 to 2.01) and (Brazil: 1.16, 1.08 to 1.25)) was observed. CONCLUSION: Early life health, educational and economic disadvantages are associated with adult multimorbidity and appear to contribute to the later course of life. A life course approach to the prevention of multimorbidity in adulthood in LMICs may be useful in health programmes and policies.